Concept:
The mean (expected value) of a random variable \(X\) is
\[
E(X)=\sum x\,P(X=x).
\]
Since the selections are made with replacement, the total number of ordered pairs is
\[
4\times 4=16.
\]
Step 1: List all possible values of \(X\).
Let
\[
X=|a-b|,
\]
where
\[
a,b\in\{2,3,5,7\}.
\]
The \(16\) ordered pairs and corresponding values of \(X\) are:
\[
\begin{array}{c|c}
(a,b) & X=|a-b|
\hline
(2,2),(3,3),(5,5),(7,7) & 0
(2,3),(3,2) & 1
(3,5),(5,3) & 2
(5,7),(7,5) & 2
(2,5),(5,2) & 3
(3,7),(7,3) & 4
(2,7),(7,2) & 5
\end{array}
\]
Step 2: Find the probability distribution of \(X\).
\[
P(X=0)=\frac{4}{16}=\frac14,
\]
\[
P(X=1)=\frac{2}{16}=\frac18,
\]
\[
P(X=2)=\frac{4}{16}=\frac14,
\]
\[
P(X=3)=\frac{2}{16}=\frac18,
\]
\[
P(X=4)=\frac{2}{16}=\frac18,
\]
\[
P(X=5)=\frac{2}{16}=\frac18.
\]
Step 3: Compute the mean \(E(X)\).
\[
E(X)
=
0\left(\frac14\right)
+
1\left(\frac18\right)
+
2\left(\frac14\right)
+
3\left(\frac18\right)
+
4\left(\frac18\right)
+
5\left(\frac18\right).
\]
\[
=
0+\frac18+\frac12+\frac38+\frac48+\frac58.
\]
\[
=
\frac{1+4+3+4+5}{8}.
\]
\[
=
\frac{17}{8}.
\]
Step 4: Write the final answer.
\[
\boxed{\frac{17}{8}}
\]